Tag: Melbourne vegetarian food

Italian food has become synonymous to summer days for me, since going to Italy itself is not happening anytime soon, I’ve settled for trying out some new Italian restaurants for the time being.

A25 has three locations in Melbourne already, and recently added some vegan options to their menu, which I was more than happy to try. The airy and funky space looked promising, and I was ready to dig in to some good ol’ pizza!

Aperol Spritz – $14.00

Aperol Spritz is my go-to drink in the warmer weather. It’s light, sparkling and fruity, what more can you ask for?

Truffle Porcini & Parmesan Fries – $8.50

The truffles fries came with the pungent smell of truffle, which means you’re either going to love them or hate them. I am personally a huge fan of truffle, and thought these were delectable.

Vegan Vegie Explosion – $20.00

Featuring a range of grilled vegies, the pizza surely looked promising. I thought the vegan mozzarella was actually pretty decent, I mean sure, it doesn’t exactly give off the same creamy taste, but it did the job. The vegies were quite sweet after being roasted, especially in the case of the roasted pumpkin and capsicum, and this was offset nicely by the brininess from the olives scattered across the pizza.

A25 – $25.00

With the titular A25 pizza touted as a favourite, I had to give it a go. The combination of prosciutto and fresh mozzarella is always a classic, and the homemade pesto and roasted pine nuts added some earthiness to the pizza.

With deals such as $15 pizza and pasta for weekday lunches, A25 has become a hotspot for those that work in offices closeby. Indeed, the outside terrace was filled with patreons grabbing a quick bite to eat during rush hour.

The expansion of the menu will certainly be appreciated by those that frequent the restaurant, as it means that they are able to bring friends who may have dietary requirements to dine with them, while still being able to get some traditional offerings themselves, a feat that has become harder to accomplish.

So next time you’re in need of a mixture of vagan and non-vegan options, why not give A25 a try in one of its three locations?

How to get here:I visited the South Yarra location of A25, which is on Chapel Street. Catch tram #78 and get off at Malcolm Street/Chapel Street, and the restaurant is right next to the tram stop. Alternatively, catch the train on the Sandringham line and get off at South Yarra, and A25 is around 10 minutes walk away.

Vegie Bar has become an institution of Fitzroy, serving up, you guessed it, vegetarian food! It was before the vegan train caught on, but they do have a bunch of vegan options too if that’s your dietary requirement.

The restaurant is set in a warehouse with high ceilings, offering plenty of seatings on both floors. The large space accommodates for both small and big groups, and there is usually no trouble in finding a table.

Funghi – $20.00

I love mushroom anything, so it was a no-brainer to order the mushroom pizza. The pizza dough – although untraditional – was chewy and dougy and delicious. Sitting on top was the topping of caramelised onions, crumbly feta, and ample amount of slow roasted field mushrooms. Fresh dill and pine nuts were sprinkled on top for some additional freshness and texture. The juicy mushrooms were definitely the star of the dish, the caramelised onion offered some sweetness, and the briny feta did not overwhelm everything else.

Moroccan Tajine – $18.00

I’ve never tried a tajine before, and upon consulting google, it’s a type of stew that’s named after the type of pottery it uses. The flavoursome sweet and sour stew had chickpeas, butternut squash, and tomato, and were simmered to the point where all the vegetables were tender. I thought the coconut tsatsiki were a bit of a random component, although I guess its purpose was to lighten up the dish. The roasted cauliflower were tasty though, reminiscent of popcorn.

Chips – $7.00

Our meal was completed with a cone of chips. These were not as crunchy as I would have preferred, but were potato-y nonetheless.

Vegie Bar’s menu takes inspiration from all around the world, I don’t think it aims to offer a traditional experience by any means, the focus is on re-inventing these dishes so that they are both vegetarian friendly, and still retain some of its key flavours. The menu is quite large, and I’m sure you’ll be able to find something to ticklet your fancy, even if you don’t usually eat your greens.

How to get there:
The Vegie Bar is located on Brunswick Street, catch tram 11 from Parliament, Southern Cross or Collins Street, and get off at Leicester Street/Brunswick Street, and the restaurant is right next to the tram stop.